christian relief fund blog

UPDATE: Hurricane Isaac Relief

UPDATE: 9/15

We thank God that Hurricane Isaac has not been as catastrophic as Hurricane Katrina, but many people have still lost their homes and possessions in this disaster. We are continuing to partner with Disaster ResponseTeam to provide emergency food and care to those affected.

Soon they will be helping in the rebuilding process of the disaster.

Right now, we are focusing on Slidell, Louisiana and Pearlington, Mississippi. While Mississippi has not been as covered by the media, some areas there seem to be just as bad as Louisiana. As Mark Cremeans of Disaster Response Team sat up to help in Slidell, he could see over 500 houses under water just in walking distance. He said that the rebuilding process will take a long time.

The team there has large disaster relief trailers and emergency kitchen trailers that can distribute thousands of meals going into these hard hit areas to provide aid and support to the people of the Gulf Coast. They are distributing emergency kits with food, blankets and personal hygiene items through local churches.

If you want to help, prayers and donations to buy supplies are the most beneficial at this time–although you could join the team there. They are especially needing a large ice maker and a trailer at this time if you have one to give or loan.

One of CRF’s partners made it into Slidell, LA yesterday afternoon. We’re told that over 500 houses are under water in the immediate neighborhood. Food is being distributed from a relief kitchen, and an emergency kit distribution center is being set up in a local church. Thousands of people have lost all of their personal belongings.

We have also helped bring in a trailer full of tools to help in the rebuilding effort over the coming weeks.

One of our relief workers is headed into New Orleans now to assess the best way to help in that area.

We’ve also had reports of damage to our facilities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We will have more reports on this when we know more.

Please keep the people of Haiti, Dominican Republic and the Gulf Coast in your prayers.

Our crews are headed toward New Orleans at this very moment. We will be setting up emergency kitchens to distribute thousands and thousands of meals. We’re also setting up a distribution point for emergency kits. These kits will be hugely important for people who lost everything in the hurricane.

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UPDATE: 8/30 8:30AM

The rain is continuing in much of the Gulf Coast this morning. Many areas have gotten over 20″ of rain. This has caused massive flooding. At this time, the hardest hit area seems to be the East Bank of Louisiana and the coast of Mississippi. In Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, residents are saying that the damage to the city is even worse than the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

There are massive disruptions of all services throughout hundreds of square miles has occurred:

12’ of water in some areas. Homes are totally submerged.

Trees down everywhere.

Interstates closed due to high water.

Power off to over 600,000 people.

In many areas, water service has been shut off to people’s homes.

Mandatory evacuations are widespread.

Widespread street flooding.

The levees have been topped in some lower parishes.

Major Flooding along most of the coast.

Most Schools will remain closed till Tuesday next week, at the earliest.

How we are helping: We thank God that Hurricane Isaac has not been as catastrophic as Hurricane Katrina, but many, many people have still lost their homes and possessions in this disaster. We are committed to providing emergency food and care to those affected.

Right now, we are focusing on the coast of Mississippi. While Mississippi has not been as covered by the media, some areas here seem to be just as bad as Louisiana. We are also hitting roadblocks on getting into Louisiana at this time. Many roads are covered in water and impassable. We will try to get into Louisiana and evaluate the need as soon as the waters recede and the roads reopen.

We have massive disaster relief trailers and emergency kitchen trailers that can distribute thousands of meals going into the hardest hit areas to provide aid and support to the people of the Gulf Coast. We will be distributing emergency kits with food, blankets and personal hygiene items through local churches.

If you want to help, prayer and donations to buy supplies are the most beneficial at this time.

Praise God that Hurricane Isaac has now become Tropical Storm Isaac! But we’re not out of the storm yet.

People are still being evacuated as the storm produces winds up to 70mph and extreme rainfall nearing 10 inches. Some reports have estimated that the New Orleans area will receive up to 20 inches from this storm.

“I never thought it would turn out like this,” said Tieeka Matthews, who was in a shelter with her three children. “I have nowhere to go, no money, no clothes.” (credit New York Times)

We have crews on the ground with supply trailers and portable emergency kitchens who will be going into the most affected areas as soon as we are given the all clear.

At the moment, we need donations to provide blankets, personal hygiene kits and food kits for those who have been displaced. We also need funds to purchase food for our portable emergency kitchen crew. Any help will make a huge difference in Louisiana.

In the coming days, we will be creating an action plan for sending in any needed relief teams. If you would like to be notified in the event that we send a team, please fill out our Relief Volunteer Form.

We’ll keep you posted with photos and more information as soon as we know more. Blessings. And keep those affected in your prayers.

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8/29 11:00 AM

By now you have probably seen the news reports as Hurricane Isaac pummels the Gulf Coast with 80 mph winds and torrential rainfall. And forecasters say the rain might not let up for days.

Already, there is a threat of massive flooding and more than half a million people are without power in Louisiana.

CRF is partnering with relief crews on the ground. We are ready with supplies and are evaluating the most pressing needs so we can deploy aid as soon as possible.

Here’s how you can help:

1 – Pray. Prayer is the most pressing need for those who have been affected. We encourage you to pray for protection, peace and hope for everyone affected. And to ask God how He would have you help the victims.

2 – Give. The second biggest need is for monetary support. This disaster will require relief supplies to be sent into areas on a moment’s notice. Because of this, we need to buy food, clean water and emergency kits as close to the affected area as possible. We already have teams in place in Mississippi and Louisiana that are ready with a first round of emergency supplies.

3 – Tell your friends. We are positioned to provide the maximum amount of

help to the victims of this disaster. Encourage your friends to give so we can help more people. You can even share this blog post with them on Facebook.

4 – Stay Informed. In the coming days, we will be evaluating how best to move forward with our relief effort. There will be needs for teams to deploy to the affected areas to serve victims. There will be more needs that become evident as the city starts to rebuild. Keep in touch with CRF via our blog so you can be aware of the most current needs and opportunities.

If you would like to sign up to be on a possible Hurricane Isaac relief team, visit www.christianrelieffund.org/trips and fill out the form. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Keep checking this blog post for updates on what we are doing for the victims of Hurricane Isaac. And please remember the victims in prayer.